Chronicle Editor
Nyaradzo Bakari, Chronicle Reporter
AN unidentified woman was killed in Bulawayo’s Montrose suburb and buried in the backyard of a house while the owners were away on Christmas holiday.
A gardener who was left in charge of the house is reported missing.
Police exhumed the decomposing body yesterday morning after Mr Ngqabutho Sebele (23), a son to the owner of the house, saw dogs feasting on human flesh.
His father, Mr Mthelisi Sebele, reported the matter to the police and homicide detectives discovered a grave in his backyard.
A source close to the family said the body was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) mortuary.
He said the body was discovered on Thursday night and its remains were under police guard pending exhumation yesterday morning.
The elder Sebele, who owns the house, promised to visit The Chronicle newsroom to tell his side of the story but did not pitch up.
“The body was discovered by Mr Sebele’s son Ngqabutho after seeing a dog eating flesh which had a bad smell. It was partly buried in a shallow grave.
When the police exhumed the body, some parts like the arm and ribs were missing and the body was decomposing,” he said.
The source said the family suspected their part time gardener who had been left in charge of the house during Christmas could have killed the woman.
“The family went for Christmas holiday and left the house under the care of their gardener, SaMdu. When they returned, he left as if everything was okay but I suspect he had a fight with his girlfriend and killed her because he had frequent visits from an unknown lady during that time. He has since
disappeared and no one knows his full name or even his address,” said the source.
Mr Sebele’s relatives, who stood in shock at the gate of the house, declined to talk to the Press.
“We are following police instructions and we are not going to comment on anything concerning the matter,” said a relative.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango said they were yet to identity the deceased, a woman in her mid 20s.
“We are still investigating the case and we are treating it as murder. We are not sure when she was killed or any details but we are awaiting the postmortem results,” she said.
Insp Simango appealed to members of the public to assist in identifying the body.
“We are appealing to members of the public who might be missing a female relative who is in her mid 20s and was last seen wearing blue jeans and a T-shirt, to come forward. We did not find any shoes. Anyone who might have information on what could have happened leading to the woman’s death should go to any nearest police station or Donnington Police station or contact the Officer-in-Charge Donnington police station on (09) 468520 or our toll free numbers 111 for NetOne line or 999 for landline.” — @NyarieBakie
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